by Dennis Young
“Talice, I’m not into one-night stands.”
She kissed him again, harder, ran her hand across his shoulder and down his back. “Neither am I.”
He took her in his arms. Another couple strolled by, chortling. Talice pulled back, took his hand, and they nearly ran to the walkway, giggling like eighteen-year-olds.
They hopped in a waiting cab. Fortunately, it was a robo-taxi, or the driver might have called the MPs. By the time they reached Talice’s apartment unit, the back window was completely steamed over.
* * *
Talice woke, knowing she’d crossed the line.
A line she’d, if not promised herself, knew was one she should have crossed only after thoughtful consideration and much contemplation. Instead, she’d blown past it in a lust-filled, demanding panic.
Yep. No doubt about it. A rush of hormones, a glass of wine, and here we are. Damn knees. Couldn’t stay together, could you? All your fault. I bear no responsibility.
She rose, padded to the bathroom naked, then returned and crawled beneath the very rumpled sheets. Fawkes rolled in his sleep, and she curled into his arms, pressed her back against his chest, and sighed. She drifted into sleep again as the sun peeked through the window shades.
Mac’s gonna kill me… Of course, I don’t have to tell her. But the grin on my face will be a dead give-away.
* * *
Talice woke again, this time to the smells of something… burning? Cooking? What?
She rolled aside. Fawkes was not in the bed. She rose, tossed on a nightshirt, and bare-footed to the kitchen, rubbing her eyes and yawning. He was there, in nothing but boxer briefs, at the cooktop. Cooking… something, whose aroma spoke to her primitive hindbrain.
“Is that…?”
He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at her tousled look. “Bacon. How long since you tasted it?”
Talice stood behind him closely, arms around his waist, her chin on his shoulder. “My dad used to cook bacon when I was growing up. Then the Greens got in power and now we’re all pretty much grazing like cattle these days.” She blinked. “Where did you get it? Did you have that in your trousers? Was that a package of bacon in your pants, or were you just glad to see me last night?”
They laughed.
“I ran down to the store on the corner, the little famers’ place. They have a small stash.” He laid eight strips on a paper towel and fed her a piece of one.
She chewed slowly, savoring the richness. “Geez, that’s almost as good as what we had last night.” She grinned at his look. “I said ‘almost’.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck as he turned, kissed him warmly, then giggled as he licked his lips. “Sure doesn’t taste like chicken, does it?”
He looked her in the eye. “Neither do you.”
They held each other’s gaze for a long time.
Talice dropped away her eyes at last. “This… wasn’t supposed to happen, you know. I was really conflicted before. Now I’m just…”
He slid his hands beneath her nightshirt and massaged her back. “Satisfied?”
“Hal, it’s been… years.”
“I know. For me, too. I think we made up for a couple, though.”
“I was scared last night for everyone, even me. Maybe even you. Now I’m just…”
“Why are you trying to analyze this, Talice?”
She drew slowly away, then picked up a piece of bacon and munched. “I’ve got eggs in the fridge, and some great nearly-authentic French bread in the cupboard. And orange juice.”
“Then let us prepare a feast,” he announced, his arm still around her waist.
She shook her head and took his hands. “Later. Because dammit, I’m not done with you. Not yet.”
She led him to the bedroom. It was dusk before they emerged.
* * *
Showering together should have taken less time, but somehow, it didn’t. They dressed, wolfed down the bacon left out some hours before, and promised, cross their hearts, they’d have a breakfast feast another time. But right now, they were starving. The calories burned overnight and during the day must have been in the five-digits. Therefore, they went forth in search of food.
They ended up at the corner tea place a few blocks from Talice’s apartment and sat at an outdoor table as lightning flared in the south. Fawkes checked in with the Base, pleading “unexpected personal business,” to which Talice only snickered. They passed the evening in satiated quiet. She couldn’t stop brushing his hand with hers. Wanted his touch. Loved his scent.
Yes, the scent of after-sex is something you never forget.
She had never seen him so relaxed and unofficer-like. She laughed at his silly jokes. Told a few of her own. Talked about Mom and Dad to him like she’d never talked with anyone before.
But it’s okay, because Dad was his CO in the Marines. Geez, what’s he going to think if he finds out? She laughed out loud. I sound like a kid who just had her first sex.
“Talice?”
She waved an arm, still laughing. “Just about the funniest thing I could think of, considering the last, oh, twenty-four hours or so.” She glanced to the sparse evening crowd. “But I’ll tell you later. In the meantime, tomorrow lurks on the horizon.” Lightning flashed again, and thunder rumbled theatrically.
Fawkes looked to the skies. “Pretty good timing. Did you have to set that up ahead of time?”
“Well, we’re only a few blocks from my place. Convenient.” She smiled.
“You, dear lady, are insatiable.”
She leaned into his shoulder. “You can’t imagine what you’ve awakened.”
“Oh, really? I think I have a pretty good idea.”
Raindrops pelted the table suddenly. They moved inside, and Fawkes looked at his wristcom. “I’m due in the office early, 0600. I’m afraid I’m going to have to call it a night.”
“You could stay at my place.”
“And get ravaged again? I’ve got marks on my back I can already feel.” He squeezed her hand and caressed her fingers.
“Okay, I can stay with you.”
He smiled and shook his head. “Same reason. Besides, I live on Base and I’m a man, remember. Messy place, and all that.”
Talice scoffed. “I don’t believe it. You’re fastidious, and you know it.”
“Wow, what a vocabulary you’ve revealed. I’m impressed.”
They rose and embraced, walked to the entryway and Fawkes touched the “summon taxi” button, then entered a code. They stepped into a private niche. “Look, you still owe me a report, and there’s a mission coming up soon. Besides, you have to consort with the enemy some more, don’t you?”
Talice nodded. “Yeah… And I’d better get the intel from Jance soon. I’ll have the report to you tomorrow, but I want to deliver it in person. Mac and I want to discuss the upcoming operation. And I have a few more questions I need Jance to answer before we go.”
A Marine jeepster pulled up to the curb and flashed its lights. “There’s my ride. See you tomorrow.” He kissed her gently. Her hand slid under his jacket and lightly raked his side.
“Don’t forget me, mister… what was your name again?”
Fawkes grinned. “This is going to be interesting.”
Talice licked her lips, showing teeth. “You have no idea.”
* * *
Talice nearly skipped all the way home. The only reason she didn’t was because of the rain. She ducked into a tea house just as the storm hit, retreating to a corner booth, ordered an Earl Grey, and sat, calm and sated for the first time in… she couldn’t remember how long it had been.
She scrolled through her wristcom; no urgent messages. Then dug out Babs’s and did the same.
Shit! Jance! Talice read the header before she opened the message. Okay, only sent an hour ago. And the intel! I’ll wait until I get home to open it. In the meantime…
She thought about Fawkes, and how this would change… everything. And where is it gonna lead? Dam
n, he told me he wants a family. I just… can’t. Not with an uncertain future of how long I’ll live. Not while I’m a fucking mercenary… pun intended. Yeah, that line was there for a reason. Too late now…
She dug out her notebook and began to compose her report to Fawkes. Stopped. Looked at the time. Took out Babs’s wristcom again, opened Jance’s message, and typed. I still have questions. Can we meet tonight? Same place, 2200 Hours. Talice.
The reply came back almost immediately. I thought you might. Been thinking about this, have you? See you there. Jance.
She downed her tea and headed out. The harbor was a twenty-minute walk, but rain was still coming down, so she ducked in and out of storefronts to stay dry. The storm began to break up, and at last she crossed the final trafficway, down Harbor Avenue, and deeper into the darkness of the oceanfront.
She slowed as she reached the piers, glanced at her chrono-implant. Ten minutes. Wonder if she’s already here, watching for me, wondering if I’m already here… Getting fucking paranoid, Wyloh. Snap out of it.
Talice waited, watching the quiet harbor. The storm had passed, leaving the air clear and fresh. She breathed in, smiling, thinking about how her life had completely changed in a day.
Be careful what you wish for…
“Hello Talice.” Jance stood at the rail, a few meters down the pier.
Talice dispensed with pleasantries and turned to face her. “How did Nemesis know Babs is a doctor?”
Jance was silent for a moment, then shrugged. “No idea. I didn’t know she was either until I saw her.”
“Bullshit. You knew her when we were Marines.”
Jance shook her head. “I didn’t know her well. I didn’t recognize her name at first, but finally put two and two together.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet you did. Then you told them who she was. And if you didn’t know, how did you find out?”
“I did some digging. You’re not the only one with sources. And capabilities.”
“Why didn’t you just ask her?”
Jance shrugged again. “Once I knew who she was, I couldn’t take the chance she’d recognize me. I just knew she was an acquaintance of yours.”
Talice raised her face and frowned. “Really? How? If you didn’t know her personally in the Marines, how did you find out we knew each other?”
Jance gave a malicious grin. “Like I said… I have my sources.” Jance’s face fell. “Look… I told them she was a doctor to keep her from getting the same treatment as the others. She’s worth her weight in anything you want to consider valuable, Talice. She’s safer where she is than in the crèche. And I’ve managed to keep her Marine info out of their hands and data banks. Did you know she had no Marine gear or ID with her when she was traveling?”
Talice shook her head. “I don’t understand…”
“Geez, Talice! If Nemesis knew she was a Marine, she’d be dead already! They want nothing to do with the military! They’d chop her up in pieces so small, you’d never find all of her!”
Talice held her words, waiting. Jance apparently had nothing else to say. “Who took her? I want a name.”
“Do you?” Jance laughed. “How much is it worth to you?”
“How much is it worth to you, bitch? I’ve got you by the fucking balls, too. So tell me.”
Jance laughed again. “How so, Captain? You’ve got nothing on me. You’re the only one who has seen me.”
“Not yet.”
Jance backed away a pace. “Fuck you, Talice. I’ll slit your little friend’s throat and send you the pictures.”
“You won’t get out of this city alive. If the Marines know you’re in town, they’ll hunt you like a rat. To say nothing of your bosses. And now that I have your data…”
Talice was beginning to shake. Fuck! I didn’t put on a fresh patch. Too busy basking in the afterglow. Dammit, I’ve got to get out of here!
“What the hell do you want?”
“I want the fucking truth! Stop playing games!”
Jance dithered. “I’ve given you all I’ve got. Use it or lose it. This is our last meeting. Goodbye, Talice.”
She turned and disappeared into the darkness. Talice couldn’t follow. She could barely stand. She was trembling now, head to foot. She dug out a bottle of S-H from her pocket and downed it, leaned against the rail, and tried to breathe.
Can’t walk home like this. Hell, I can’t even crawl. Shit, now what?
She sat and slowly calmed, stood, and, clutching the rail, made her way back to the pier entrance. She breathed deeply again, staggered the next block, then the next. Finally, she emerged onto a walkway. A taxi stand was another block away. She leaned against a brick building wall, gasping for air.
Fuck… this is worse than the last time. Dammit, I need Babs so bad… Gotta check in at the infirmary tomorrow, find out who has access to her files.
She realized her thoughts were clearer and gazed at the taxi. She straightened, kept her hand on the wall as she slowly made her way up the block. She nearly stumbled, leaning against the taxi for a moment.
“You okay, lady?” The driver poked his head out the window.
Talice nodded weakly. Climbed into the back seat. Mumbled the address. Then let the darkness take her for a ride.
* * *
Talice woke. She was slumped in a chair, in her apartment. With daylight streaming through the window. She had no idea how she’d gotten there.
She raised her arm; a C-12Plus patch was on her left triceps. Two empty S-H bottles were on the table. She was still dressed in her clothes from the night before.
Holy fuck…
A sound aside, and Mac drifted into the room. “Well… you’re alive after all. A bit worse for the wear, and still soggy, though.”
Talice’s voice was a barely-audible croak. “Mac?”
Mac took Talice’s pale and still-shaking hand, warming it between her own. “Good thing you gave me your door code and put me on the contact list last year.”
Talice rolled her head aside and licked her lips. Her mind was still somewhere else but clearing slowly. “All I remember is a taxi.”
“The driver helped you into the lobby and hit the emergency button. Then stayed with you until I arrived. Good guy.” She grinned. “I gave him a big tip out of your house account.”
Fuck, I could have been murdered last night. Or what if he was a kidnapper for Nemesis? Talice tried to rise, fell back into the chair, and tried again. This time, she made it to the edge of the chair.
“I forgot my patch last night… again.”
“We’re going to have to do something about that, aren’t we?”
“Food. I need food.”
Mac rolled back into the kitchen. “Tea and a protein bar awaiting. Can you walk, or should I just drag you?”
Talice held her hand out. Mac took it gently. “Thanks. Again. Dammit, Mac.” She burst into tears.
Mac held her as she cried. “This has been a while in coming, hasn’t it? You hold so damn much inside.”
They stayed there for a few minutes, then Talice took the offered tissue, wiped her eyes, blew her nose, and sat back again. “Fuck.”
“That mouth of yours…”
Talice chuckled wryly. “That’s what he said…”
Mac shook her head, helped Talice to her feet, and escorted her to the kitchen. They sat at the table as Talice nibbled at the protein bar and drank two cups of tea. She sighed, nodded, and sat back.
“Well, your color is better now, so your heart must be beating again.”
Talice’s eyes popped open. “Did I—”
“Relax, Princess, just a joke.” Mac cleared the table.
“I got Jance’s info last night, and I saw her again. Now I’ve got her just like she’s got me. And Babs.”
Mac edged around again. “Alright, save it for our meeting with Fawkes today. We’re due in at 1400 Hours, so you’ve got a bit of time. Have you sent his report?”
Talice shook her head, then dropped
her eyes away. “We need to talk…”
Mac looked her over. “So talk. I’m here, Talice. I’m listening.”
She sighed. “The colonel and I spent the evening together night before last, at dinner. Then the rest of it… in bed. Together. And all day yesterday.”
Mac raised her face. “Well… I can’t say I’m surprised. You both are in desperate need of someone in your lives. Honestly, girl, I don’t know how you’ve held out so long.”
Talice huffed. “Scared to death. Of… wanting to love someone again. Of being loved again. Dammit, Mac, I crossed the line and never looked back.”
“The hell you didn’t. You’re beating yourself up about it now. Stop it! That’s an order!” Mac scowled.
Talice collapsed onto her shoulder. “I don’t know what to do. How the hell do I face him today?”
“Like any other day. I don’t see a ring, so you’re still available.”
They shared a quiet laugh.
Talice rose slowly. “Give me an hour. Then I’ll put a report together. And Mac… thanks again.”
Mac smiled. “Go make yourself presentable. We still got work to do. And I’ve got some news for you I’ll share after we’re done at the Base. Then we need to see about your bugs.”
* * *
Northland Marine Base…
The moment they entered Colonel Fawkes’s office, he looked questioningly at Talice’s pale appearance, but said nothing.
“Tough night,” she whispered, as they stood at the sidebar pouring coffee and tea. “Tell you later.”
Mac maneuvered her hoverchair to face the colonel’s desk and Talice took a seat beside her. Fawkes sat and nodded them to speak.
Talice held up a comm crystal. “This is my report on the Crius operation. It also contains the intel from Jance. It’s yours. I met with her again last night and laid it out; either she cooperates fully, or I turn her over to the Marines.”
Fawkes accepted the device and set it aside.
Talice drank, then continued. “Babs was likely taken because she’s a doctor. Jance said she wasn’t aware who Babs was at first, then tracked down her info. She claims to be keeping her as safe as possible by virtue of her medical training.”